Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read jumped into the controversy over whether the state should fund homeless shelters by proposing a $75 million investment.

Read, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, on Monday proposed spending $75 million on emergency shelters. He backed a plea by Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and a number of other Oregon mayors for state shelter funding.

“I strongly support mayors from across Oregon in their call for emergency funding for temporary homeless shelters across the state,” Read said in the announcement.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has asked the 2022 Oregon Legislature for $400 million in additional affordable housing funding. But Wheeler and other mayors have said state funds are also needed for emergency shelters before such affordable housing is completed, which can take years.

“We cannot afford to wait years for permanent, affordable housing to be built. It’s time to be honest that what we have been doing is not working. We urgently need a new approach that will focus on getting people off the streets and out of harm’s way, into safe, clean shelters and converted hotels,” Read said.

Other major Democratic candidates in the race for governor include former Oregon House Speaker Tina Kota and, potentially, former New York Times columnist Nick Kristof if the Oregon Supreme Court rules he is eligible.

“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people sleep outdoors surrounded by trash, drugs and the threat of assault. It’s not fair to them and it’s not fair to families who deserve to be able to use our parks and public spaces, nor our small businesses who depend on customers who have been scared away,” Read said.